Ribbon cartridge

ABSTRACT

A low-cost cartridge constructed from folded box board or the like for typewriter ribbon and similar articles. The cartridge permits handling of the ribbon and insertion into the machine without the operator&#39;&#39;s hands coming into contact with the ribbon. The unique manner in which the cartridge is folded from the box board permits it to secure the ribbon as well as the core inside the cartridge and this is accomplished with a single fastening means.

United States Patent Inventor Robert W. Daggs Canoga Park, Calif. Appl.No. 877,970 Filed Nov. 19, 1969 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 Assignee GeneralRibbon Corporation Canoga Park, Calif.

RIBBON CARTRIDGE 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 206/52 R, 206/ 59 B Int. Cl B65d 83/00, B65d 85/67 Field ofSearch 206/52 R, 5 9 A, 59 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS912,796 2/1909 Boye 206/59 B 1,927,667 9/1933 Miller 206/52 2,674,3724/1954 Schweich 206/52 2,824,641 2/1958 Koenig 206/52 PrimaryExaminer-William T. Dixson, Jr. A!!0rneyl.yon & Lyon ABSTRACT: Alow-cost cartridge constructed from folded box board or the like fortypewriter ribbon and similar articles. The cartridge permits handlingof the ribbon and insertion into the machine without the operator'shands coming into contact with the ribbon. The unique manner in whichthe cartridge is folded from the box board permits it to secure theribbon as well as the core inside the cartridge and this is accomplishedwith a single fastening means.

RIBBON CARTRIDGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A search of the prior arthas developed the following patents:

Schlou et a1. 1.154.212 Scott 2,327J56 Pratt 1.889.933 Koenig 2.824.641Miller 1.927.667 Becker 2.890.82l Wonder 2.101.355 Monroe 3.000.494Stone 2,555,456 Lasher et al. 3.381.810 Urso 3.294.228

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a singledie-cut piece of flat material such as box board or a flexible plasticmaterial. It is the particular pattern in which the board is cut andscored for folding that permits it to be folded into a cartridge bywhich a single fastener secures all of the folds and also provides acentering tongue for the spool enclosed within the cartridge.

It is an object. therefore, of the present invention to provide animproved construction for cartridges to contain carbon ribbon and thelike for typewriters and similar machines.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide alow-cost disposable cartridge for typewriter ribbon which can be quicklyloaded into the typewriter and prevents the typist's hands from cominginto direct contact with the carbon ribbon itself.

It is a particular advantage of the present invention that the cartridgeis made of one piece of cardboard or the like folded in such a manner asto enclose the spool of ribbon and to be securely fastened in suchconfiguration with a single fastening element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of the cartridgehaving a spool of ribbon enclosed therein.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cartridge as it is die cut and scored butunfolded.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge having a spool therein.with the cartridge partly folded.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the completed cartridge showing theopposite side from that shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken along the line 5-5 ofFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 2 shows the cartridge blankafter it is die cut of box board or other similar material. The heavylines outlining the blank shown in FIG. 2 are the portions which are cutand the dotted lines indicated portions of the blank which are scoredfor folding purposes. It will be noted that a centering tongue 11 is cutwithin the body of the blank. The blank consists of a base portionhaving a generally octagonal configuration with a centering tongue 11cut therein. The base has attached thereto side flaps I2 and 14 whichinclude side flap extensions 13 and 115. It will be noted that the endof the centering tongue 11 extends through the side flap extensionportion 15. The blank also includes a tab flap 16 attached to the basethrough flap extension 17 and a semielliptical flap 18 attached to thebase through extension 19. Each of the flaps l2. l4, l6 and 18 isprovided with die cut apertures 12a, 14a, 16a and 1184 respectively. Thecentering tongue II is likewise provided with aperture Ila.

The manner of folding and assembling the cartridge with a spool ofribbon is best demonstrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. A ribbon spool 22having ribbon 24 wound thereon is placed upon the base member I10 andthe centering tongue III is extended upwardly through the centeraperture 26. The centering tongue III is bent over the spool in themanner shown in FIG. 3 whereby the tongue forms a centering rib 27 tohold the spool 22 in place within the cartridge.

The side flap M is next folded downwardly over the centering tongue l1and following that. side flap 12 is bent upwardly and over flap M. Next,tab flap 16 is bent upwardly and over to lay on top of side flap l2,following; which the cover flap I8 is likewise bent downwardly over theother flaps. The apertures I20 through 18a are all aligned with apertureIlla and a rivet 2b is extended therethrough and affixed securing all ofthe flaps in overlapping position as shown in FIG. 5.

The removal of the centering tongue ill from the base member 10 providesan opening 30 so that a tensioning spring found in most machines cancontact the ribbon directly to provide a slight drag to preventfreewheeling. In addition, it leaves an inspection slot 30 through thebase portion 10 so that one may see the type, color. etc. of ribbonwithin the cartridge and can determine whether or not the cartridge isfull. The tab flap I16 has a corner 20 which provides a finger tab forgrasping the cartridge for insertion thereof into a typewriter or othersimilar machines. It will be obvious that the flap extensions 13, 15. i7and I19 form the edges of the cartridge as shown in FIG. 4. The fourspaces intermediate the extensions l3, 15, I7 and 119 as well as theaperture 29 provided in extension 15 by the removal of the centeringtongue lll. all provide apertures through which the ribbon 23 canbe f edso that regardless of the orientation of the cartridge within a machinethe ribbon can be reeved through any of these apertures to feed in therequired direction.

The cartridge is preferably constructed of cardboard of folded boxboardwhich is of low cost. However. it is contemplated that thin foldableplastic material could likewise be used. The intention is to construct acartridge which is of sufficiently low cost as to be truly a disposableitem. It is an advantage of the invention that the provision of thecentering rib 27 prevents loose spools 22. or the carbon ribbon 24itself from falling out of the cartridge. Carbon ribbon commonly used intypewriter and similar machines is extremely dirty if handled, since thecarbon is quite easily rubbed off with the hands. Thus it is animportant feature of the invention that the cartridge keep theinstaller's hands clean while permitting him to handle the cartridgethrough the use of the finger tab 20. It is also noted that thecartridge permits the leader of the ribbon to be fixed to the cartridgecase so that the cartridge can be rapidly loaded into the typewriter andthen the leader threaded in a desired manner.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that changesand modifications therein can be made without departing from theinvention in its broader aspects; and it is the aim of the appendedclaims to cover all such changes, modifications, and equivalents as fallwithin the true scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

I. A cartridge constructed of foldable material and suitable forcontaining a spooled object, comprising;

a planar base portion having an octagonal shape;

four flaps attached to said base at positions about the edge thereofeach spaced from the next, said flaps folded over said base into an endoverlapping relationship whereby said flaps are spaced parallel withrespect to said base;

centering means attached to said base and extending upward therefrom,said centering means having means for fastening the same to said flaps.

2. The cartridge described in claim I wherein one of said flaps isprovided with an enlarged corner portion providing a finger tab.

3. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said centering meanscomprises a tongue portion cut from said base, said tongue being foldedto provide a single centering rib extending away from said base near thecenter thereof and the remainder being folded into a spaced parallelrelationship to said base.

4. The device set forth in claim 3 wherein said tongue portion is cutout of a portion of one of said side flaps as well as said base, saidcut out from said side flap providing in the folded condition a feedaperture for spooled material stored in said cartridge.

5. The device set forth in claim 4 further including a spool having acenter aperture, said centering rib extending through said aperture,said spool having a continuous strip of material thereon.

6. A cartridge constructed of foldable material and suitable forcontaining a spooled object, comprising:

a base portion having a planar octagonal shape,

a pair of side flaps each having a flap extension connected to opposededges of said base portion, said flap extensions being folded upwardlyfrom said base portion, said flaps being folded downwardly from saidupwardly extending extensions and extending diametrically across saidbase portion in parallel spaced relationship, said side flaps havingtheir ends overlapping near the center of said base;

a tab flap having a flap extension connected to an edge of said baseportion 90 disposed from said side flaps, said flap extension beingfolded upwardly from said base, said tab flap being folded downwardlyfrom said extension and disposed across said base portion in parallelspaced relationship overlapping said other flaps;

a cover flap having a flap extension connected to the edge of said baseportion opposite said tab flap, said flap extension being foldedupwardly from said base, said cover flap being folded downwardly fromsaid extension and disposed across said base in parallel spacedrelationship overlapping said other flaps;

a centering tongue having a centering rib attached to the center of saidbase portion and extending upwardly therefrom, said tongue being foldeddownwardly from said rib and disposed in parallel spaced relationship tosaid base and overlapping said other flaps; and

fastening means securing all said flaps and said tongue together at apoint where they are mutually overlapping.

7. The article described in claim 6 wherein said tab flap has twoexterior corners one of which is extended to provide a finger tab, theother corner being rounded in general conformity with the shape of saidspooled material; said cover flap having two exterior comers both ofwhich are rounded in conformity with the shape of said spooled material.

part of The article described in claim 7 wherein said centering tongueis cut from said base portion and from a part of one of said side flapextensions to provide an open slot in said base and an aperture in saidside flap extension.

1. A cartridge constructed of foldable material and suitable forcontaining a spooled object, comprising; a planar base portion having anoctagonal shape; four flaps attached to said base at positions about theedge thereof each spaced 90* from the next, said flaps folded over saidbase into an end overlapping relationship whereby said flaps are spacedparallel with respect to said base; centering means attached to saidbase and extending upward therefrom, said centering means having meansfor fastening the same to said flaps.
 2. The cartridge described inclaim 1 wherein one of said flaps is provided with an enlarged cornerportion providing a finger tab.
 3. The device set forth in claim 1wherein said centering means comprises a tongue portion cut from saidbase, said tongue being folded to provide a single centering ribextending away from said base near the center thereof and the remainderbeing folded into a spaced parallel relationship to said base.
 4. Thedevice set forth in claim 3 wherein said tongue portion is cut out of aportion of one of said side flaps as well as said base, said cut outfrom said side flap providing in the folded condition a feed aperturefor spooled material stored in said cartridge.
 5. The device set forthin claim 4 further including a spool having a center aperture, saidcentering rib extending through said aperture, said spool having acontinuous strip of material thereon.
 6. A cartridge constructed offoldable material and suitable for containing a spooled object,comprising: a base portion having a planar octagonal shape, a pair ofside flaps each having a flap extension connected to opposed edges ofsaid base portion, said flap extensions being folded upwardly from saidbase portion, said flaps being folded downwardly from said upwardlyextending extensions and extending diametrically across said baseportion in parallel spaced relationship, said side flaps having theirends overlapping near the center of said base; a tab flap having a flapextension connected to an edge of said base portion 90* disposed fromsaid side flaps, said flap extension being folded upwardly from saidbase, said tab flap being folded downwardly from said extension anddisposed across said base portion in parallel spaced relationshipoverlapping said other flaps; a cover flap having a flap extensionconnected to the edge of said base portion opposite said tab flap, saidflap extension being folded upwardly from said base, said cover flapbeing folded downwardly from said extension and disposed across saidbase in parallel spaced relationship overlapping said other flaps; acentering tongue having a centering rib attached to the center of saidbase portion and extending upwardly therefrom, said tongue being foldeddownwardly from said rib and disposed in parallel spaced relationship tosaid base and overlapping said other flaps; and fastening means securingall said flaps and said tongue together at a point where they aremutually overlapping.
 7. The article described in claim 6 wherein saidtab flap has two exterior corners one of which is extended to provide afinger tab, the other corner being rounded in general conformity withthe shape of said spooled material; said cover flap having two exteriorcorners both of which are rounded in conformity with the shape of saidspooled material. part of The article described in claim 7 wherein saidcentering tongue is cut from said base portion and from a part of one ofsaid side flap extensions to provide an open slot in said base and anaperture in said side flap extension.